As a result of what is sometimes referred to as the “COVID bike boom,” sales of e-bikes increased 240 percent between 2019 and 2021 — four times higher than the rate of sales for traditional bikes. If you own an e-bike, you know it’s a great way to explore city streets, rural roads and mountain trails. But no matter where you ride, you don’t want to find yourself far from your destination after sunset with nothing to light your way. Some biking industry experts also recommend daytime running lights as an essential safety feature. A study conducted in Denmark in 2004-2005 found that among 3,845 cyclists who reported accidents with personal injuries over a one year-period, the 1,845 with daytime running lights mounted on their bikes recorded 19 percent fewer accidents than those who didn’t.
In addition to helping you find your way, a light is an important addition for a number of other reasons, including:
- Making you more visible to pedestrians, motorists and other cyclists in all levels of light
- Attracting attention if there is an emergency
- Making shared bike trails and paths safer
- Compliance with laws in jurisdictions that require bike lights
Features to look for in an e-bike light
When purchasing a bike light, you’ll want to look for a light that meets your needs for visibility, safety and functionality. Features to consider include:
- Brightness (lumens) and output – lower is OK for brighter environments, while dark roads and countryside require a light with a higher lumen output
- Anti-glare so the light doesn’t have a blinding effect on oncoming bike or vehicle traffic
- High- and low-beams and a daytime running beam, ideally auto-adjusting
- Beam pattern – preferably one that offers a good balance of a focused beam for seeing the road ahead, and adjustable high and low beam patterns for different riding conditions
- Mounting options – choose a light that you can fasten securely to your handlebars or frame
- Power source – consider eco-friendly, cost-effective rechargeable batteries and check the battery life to ensure that it’s adequate for how you use your bike; batteries that can be charged on the bike itself are a plus
- Water and particle resistance with a rating of IP67 or higher
- Durability to withstand vibrations, shocks and accidental drops, with an impact rating of IK08 or higher
- Easy adjustment while riding via a Bluetooth wireless or wired remote
Brand reputation matters
Another important consideration in selecting a light for your e-bike is brand reputation. Look for a manufacturer with a solid reputation and positive reviews, along with the ability to service their lights long term. Lupine Lighting Systems, for example, is a German company with a 25-year history of producing and servicing high-quality lamps that are lightweight, waterproof and durable. Regarded as a leader in LED technology, the company also produces headlamps, helmet lights, taillights and flashlights. The company’s road bike safety lights feature wired and Bluetooth wireless remote operation and smartphone apps that allow riders to fully customize their light’s operation. The SL MiniMax, one of Lupine’s e-bike lights, is equipped with up to 2100 lumens on high beam and 900 lumens on low. It is designed with the ability to turn on automatically when the motor of the e-bike is switched on and automatically senses darkness to switch from daytime running light mode to anti-glare low beam. The SL MiniMax is made of CNC-machined aluminum, weighs 100g and mounts firmly next to the stem so it is symmetrically centered on the handlebar. The lamp also is waterproof rated at IK09 and impact-resistant rated at IP67. Learn more about the SL MiniMax here: https://www.lupinenorthamerica.com/product/sl-minimax-for-e-bikes/ See all Lupine e-bike lights here: https://www.lupinenorthamerica.com/product-category/e-bike-lights/